Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s digital wallet operator DANA and China’s Ant International on Thursday launched a new digital initiative to promote marine conservation, partnering with environmental group Konservasi Indonesia.
The program, called Ocean Buddy, was unveiled at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, Friday ( Oct 10/2025). It is designed as an interactive feature inside the DANA app to encourage Indonesia’s 200 million users to take part in marine conservation through games and digital rewards.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of protecting whale sharks along Java’s southern coast, part of Indonesia’s broader efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity. Whale shark populations across the Indo-Pacific have fallen by as much as 63% over the past 75 years due to stranding and other threats, according to Konservasi Indonesia.
“Environmental issues are becoming increasingly urgent,” said Vince Iswara, CEO and co-founder of DANA. “Through Ocean Buddy, we want to show that technology can drive public participation in protecting marine and land ecosystems.”
Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ant International, said the initiative reflects the company’s goal of promoting inclusive and sustainable growth through digital innovation.
Ant International, the global arm of China’s Ant Group, launched its new sustainability framework in June, with a focus on collaborative climate initiatives. Ocean Buddy is part of Programme Sirius, Ant’s partnership platform connecting 13 e-wallet companies to advance environmental goals.
Tinton Galih Yudhianto, Director of Partnership and Communications at Konservasi Indonesia, said the organization will verify educational content and provide scientific guidance. “With collective awareness and cross-sector collaboration, ocean protection efforts can become stronger and more sustainable,” he said.
Through Ocean Buddy, users can earn Impact Coins for in-app activities that contribute to real-world conservation projects, including whale shark habitat protection and marine mammal rescue training. ***
